LP tanks & hoses woes

dtcerrato · November 09, 2018, 05:36:03 PM

Yesterday when readying the bus for the mini-trip into Orlando for front end alignment. I was turning open the LP tank valves when the massive leaks bared themselves. In 2013 we purchased all new (4 -30 lb. LP cylinders) being aggravated by intermittent LP filling stations either giving me a hassle or refusing to fill older tanks that had been recertified. Well being uninformed at that point in time I continued to use the older style POL reverse (inside) thread hoses (solid brass, no rubber O rings). Little did I know that over time the older fitting in the new style OPD valves squash & flatten the valve O rings. Everything continues to work well until one decides to do away with the older style POL hoses because to climb into the compartment with a wrench is getting to be a lot more work than when I was younger - the new style exterior thread valve with the plastic spin nut on the hose is really simple & quick so I upgraded to them a while back but hadn't put the incompatible pieces in service until now - the new hoses wont seat on the crushed O-rings. So buy new O-rings, right? WRONG. The whole valve needs to be replaced!? Give me a break! I got over six years of original certification on four late model tanks that have Phucked up valves! Gas place wanted $65/tank to replace the valves - heck I can buy brand new 30 lb. LP tanks on line for $58 each. I can also buy on line domestic new tank valves for $67.50 for a four pack. That's probably the way I'll go. For the two of the four 30lb tanks that are full - I'll continue to use the older style hose so when they're empty I can swap the valves. Don't ya just love it when technology changes & leaves us dinosaurs behind. $:-\$

chessie4905 · November 09, 2018, 05:50:13 PM

Instead, can you exchange your tanks at Walmart or Lowes to rid yourself of the leaking ones, then change ouer to the outside thread hoses. I've swapped older ones to newer style with no issues. Some of the staff at those places dont care if you ask for new tank refills instead of older scruffy repainted ones.

luvrbus · November 09, 2018, 06:13:56 PM

I cannot find anyplace that exchanges the 30 or 40 lb LP bottles any one know of a chain that does ? 20lb bottles exchanges are on every corner

dtcerrato · November 09, 2018, 06:20:07 PM

Agree with exchanges only on 20lb cylinders, I'd love to exchange the 30 lb. ers if anyone knows where. I know ignorance is no excuse but heck - inform the public better...

buswarrior · November 09, 2018, 06:29:21 PM

Exchange programs only work for the uninformed masses...

They only need a few to use 'em regularly, and not just for tank dumping, to make profit.

If that system was available to commercial sizes, the exchange program would lose their shirts...

A busnut is well advised to choose between the wildly popular sizes of tanks, BBQ or Forklift, if picking portable tanks.

The obscure ones just co$t and co$t and co$t...

The benefit of a forklift tank, the opportunity for a propane generator to be hooked to the tank's liquid fitting, and the stove/furnace can be hooked to the vapour fitting. Two for one.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Lasernomad · November 09, 2018, 06:34:57 PM

Find a place that will do a hydro-stat test and see if they will revalve them at the same time. Often places that sell welding gasses and fire equipment do this for high pressure vessels propane is very low pressure in comparison.

luvrbus · November 09, 2018, 06:44:03 PM

Quote from: dtcerrato on November 09, 2018, 06:20:07 PM
Agree with exchanges only on 20lb cylinders, I'd love to exchange the 30 lb. ers if anyone knows where. I know ignorance is no excuse but heck - inform the public better...

I can buy the o-ring for you at the local Propane dealer for .28 a piece Tractor Supply sells the o-rings too and Tractor Supply fills the tanks at that their locations now also if you need to fill the tanks in your travels

dtcerrato · November 09, 2018, 07:12:14 PM

Can't replace the O ring in an OPD valve. Did a lot of research on that one. Its much more complexed than an O ring. Unique shape with the spring loaded check on the non visible back side. Serves a dual purpose and is an integral part of the valve. That market is locked - otherwise I'd be first in line for an O ring replacement. I used to run the bus (RV) with a pair of forklift tanks. You wouldn't believe the amount of hole-in-the-wall LP filling stations that wouldn't touch those tanks with any pole! I agree that the fork lift tanks being among the best on the market - I don't think OPD valves are required on them - thus small uneducated filling stations are afraid to fill them.

richard5933 · November 09, 2018, 07:41:24 PM

We have two tanks on our bus, and I believe that they are forklift tanks. The valves started leaking last winter, so I took them both to a local propane dealer to be repaired and re-certified. The guy replaced the fill valves and other valves on both tanks. I also replaced the hoses and regulator. In my experience, these tanks are not difficult at all to have filled, and around here even the U-Haul shops can fill them. With one bolt on each tank they can be pulled and taken to be filled in the trunk of a car.

dtcerrato · November 09, 2018, 08:01:44 PM

Really nice tanks Richard, & I notice the vapor valves are not OPD because its not a requirement on forklift tanks.

chessie4905 · November 10, 2018, 04:02:05 AM

Maybe you should shop around places and see if you can get a better price. Was your local place like a Suburban propane or an independent guy?

luvrbus · November 10, 2018, 06:02:34 AM

The new tanks are not only OPD,they are flow protected they cut off if too much flow is detected I have one that came with a weed burner and hate that tank ,Some places will ding you motor fuel taxes for a fork lift tank.Frame mounted tanks can be pain but you don't you don't go through all the BS and they can have a remote filling and bleeder valve that I like I have a small door to open and that is all with the fill and bleeder valve inside

chessie4905 · November 10, 2018, 07:27:25 AM

Right on about weed burner. That valve is a pita. Have to open tank slowly or valve shuts off the flow.

luvrbus · November 10, 2018, 08:15:49 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on November 10, 2018, 07:27:25 AM
Right on about weed burner. That valve is a pita. Have to open tank slowly or valve shuts off the flow.

Now you tell me after I spent a month figuring it out on my BBQ and weed burner

oltrunt · November 11, 2018, 05:41:43 PM

I'm back in love with my free to me old skool left hand thread frame mounted propane tank--now that I finally found and fixed the tiny leak I kept smelling. A bad factory double flare was the culprit.

As luvrbus points out "Life is short drink the good wine first"--if I'd have known I'd live this long I'd have bought more good wine. Jack